Lubricator for engine-cylinders.



No; 723,290. I PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903'.

' 0. LUHR 6; T. ANDRESEN.

LUBRIGATOR FOR ENGINE GYLINDERS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2. 19oz. B0 MopEL. a 2 snzms-snnnm 1.

I PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903. 0. LUHR & T. ANDRESEN. vILIUBRICATOR FOR ENGINE CYLINDERS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2, 1902.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

no MODEL.

UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

OTTO LUHR AND THOMAS ANDRESEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LUBRICATOR FOR ENGINE-CYLINDERS.

. :I-ECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,290, dated March 24, 1903.

Application filed July 2.1902. Serial No. 114,0 73. (Nnmodeio To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, OTTO LUHR and THOMAS ANDRESEN, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook andS tate of Illinois, have in ven ted i-er-;

tain new and usefulImprovements in 'Lubricaptors forEngi-ne-Cylinders, of which the folof lubricators for engine-cylinders which are.

designed and adapted to'supply a dry lubri cant, such as powdered graphite, to the cyl-" casing.

inder.

Dry lubricants-such as graphite,- are supenor to oil forthe lubrication of steam-engine cylinders in a variety 'of respects, among which may be mentioned the fact that such 'a lubricant does not unite with the steam, and

therefore leaves the latter in a clean condition, so that the steam can subsequently be used for other purposes where steam mixed;

with oilwould 'provedetrimental. Again,

the graphite has the peculiar action of clos-t ing the pores of the iron orsteel and the pie ton packing and produces an absolutely smooth surface, which after a period of use comes to have the polished appearance of" glass. Hitherto some difliculty has been eirperienced in effecting theintroduction of the lubricant to the cylinder on account of the tendency of the steam to moisten the lubricant, causing it to become pasty and sticky,

thus interfering with the free feeding thereof. One feature of our invention apartfrom the novel constructional features thereof re-o sides in the location of the point of delivery of the graphite at a point where it is subjected only to the effect of dry uncondensed steam, thus practically obviating the difficulty above alluded to.

The principal object of our invention isto produce a lubricating device operating upon powdered graphite or other similar dry lubri: cant which shall effect an automatic, positive, uniform, and finely-regulable feed of the lubricantto the steam-cylinder during the operation ofthe engine; and to this and other'minor objectsour invention consists in an apparatus'for this purpose having as its chief distinguishing characteristic an endless conveyer having a series of pockets or receptacles which deliver successive charges of lubricant to the steam-inlet pipe, whence the lubricant is blown by the force of the steam into the valve-chest and engine-cylinder. w

An apparatus embodying our invention in the preferred form is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the device detached from the steam-inlet pipe. Fig.2 is a horizontal sectional view transversely of the graphite-holder and steam-inlet pipe and longitudinally of the conveyer- ,Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the lubricator and the steam inlet pipe, the upper end of the graphite-chamber being broken off; and Fig. 4E is a transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3and illustrating the construction of the conveyor and its supporting or carrying frame.

Referring to the drawings for a detail description of the constructional features of the form of our invention herein shown, 5 desighates a cylindrical chamber, herein shown as disposed vertically, closed at the top and bottom hysuitable caps or covers 6 and 7,

respectively, and provided at its Lower end 'witha laterally-extending'tube 8,'jthe outer end of which is externally threaded and screws into an aperture formed in the wall of the steam-supply pipe 9. It will he observed that the end of the tube 8 occupies a position substantially coincident with the radial center or axis of the inlet-pipe for a purpose which will be disclosed in connection with the description of the operation of the device.

The tube 8 may be secured in the steam-inlet' pipe at any adjusted position by means of the loclcnut 10.

The chamber 5 is designed to be fillled with powdered graphite or any other similar fine lubricant in a dry state, such as soapstone, and the tube 8 constitutes a casing for a continuously-traveling endless conveyor which has the function of withdrawing successive charges of lubricant from the chamber'5 and presenting the same to the action of the incoming steam flowing through the inlet-pipe 9. This conveyer, as herein shownfcomprises an endless chain consisting of'a series of pivoted links 11, on each of which is mounted, at about the longitudinal center thereof, a piston 12. This chain is mounted IOO to travel around a pair of sprocket-wheels 13 and 14, which sprocket-wheels are rotatably journaled in a frame or support (designated, as a whole, by 15) which lies within and longitudinally of the conveyor-casing 8and at its inner end extends into the bottom of the chamber 5, this frame being further provided at its inner or left-hand end, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with an operating-stem 16, passing through a stuffing-box 17, and at its outer end threaded and provided with an operating hand-wheel 18, confined within a stationary retaining-yoke 19, secured to and rigid with the containing-walls of the stufling-box. It Will be observed that the major part of the conveyor-carrying frame contained within the casing 8 is made cylindrical, as indicated at 15*, and of a size to fit thecasing 8 with facility for a sliding movement therein. From the opposite ends of the cylindrical portion 15 extend the two slotted frames or yokes 15 and 15, which carry the sprocket-wheels 13 and 14, respectively. The cylindrical portion 15 of the conveyor-frame is longitudinally bored at diametrically opposite points to receive and permit the travel thereth rough of the oppositely-moving sections of the conveyer, the bores (designated by 20 and 21) being of a size to accommodate the pistons of the conveyor with an easy sliding fit therein. The outer or right-hand extremity of the conveyer-frame, beyond the sprocket-wheel 14, terminates in a cap or valve 22, which has an inner annular face coaxially disposed relatively to the outer open end of the conveyerchamber and adapted when the lubricator is not in use to be drawn tightly against such end of the conveyer-chamber and effect a closure therefor.

Any suitable and desired means may be employed to drive the conveyer with either a constant or an intermittent travel; but we have herein illustrated a simple and effective means which we prefer to employ. This comprises a gear 23, fast on the shaft of the sprocket 13 and engaged by a companion gear 24, fast on the inner end of a shaft 25, rotatably journaled in a boss 26, projecting laterally from the wall of the chamber 5, Fig. l. The outer end of the shaft 25 carries a large worm-wheel 27, driven by a worm 28, mounted in a bracket 29,extending laterally from the lower cap 7 of the lubricant-chamber. It will be understood that the shaft of the worm 28 is driven from a moving part of the engine by any suitable connections, or it may be, if preferred, driven from an independent sou'rceof motion.

Within the chamber 5 is a follower, the function of which is to exert a downward pressure upon the body of graphite contained within the chamber in order that as fast as the graphite is withdrawn from the lower end of the chamber by the action of the conveyer a fresh supply may be constantly presented to the conveyor so long as the given volume of lubricant represented by a single charge of the chamber5 remains unexhausted. This follower, herein shown, consists of a weightin the form of a solid hemisphere 30, of lead, iron, brass, or any other metal havinga comparatively high specific gravity. This weigh rests with its flat side upon the lubricant, and in order to insure the uniform depression of the lubricant in all parts of the chamber the weight may be provided with a vertically-extending stem 31, passing upwardly through a central aperture in the cap 6 of the chamber. The inner walls of the chamber 5 are provided at a level slightly above the top of the gear 24 with a series of inwardly-extending lugs 32, upon which the weight 30 comes to rest in the lowermost position of its travel.

The operation of the above-described apparatus is substantially as follows: Upon the removal of the cap 6 and the withdrawal of the follower 30 the chamber or reservoir 5 is' charged even full with the powdered graphite or other dry lubricant to be used. The follower is then placed thereon face down and the cap 6 slipped over the upstanding stem 31 thereof and subsequently bolted or otherwise secured to the top marginal flange of the reservoir. It will be observed that the contour of the cap 6 is such as to enable it to just fit over and contain the follower 30 when the latter is at the Very top of the chamber. The hand-wheel 18 is then manipulated in a manner to withdraw the valve 22 more or less from the inner end of the conveyer-casing 8, thereby providing an annular orifice for the discharge of the lubricant to the steam-inlet pipe 9. At the same time that the valve 22 is thus opened the gear 23, which, it will be remembered, is mounted in the same longitudinally-movable frame 15 that carries the valve 22, is carired into mesh with the companion gear 24. When now the engine is started up, the worm 28, actuated from some moving part of the engine, begins to rotate and through worm-wheel 27, shaft 25, gear 24, gear 23, and sprocket-wheel 13 imparts a slow travel to the endless conveyerchain and itsseries of pistons carried thereby. That portion of the conveyor-chain lying within the bottom of the graphite-chamber 5 of course travels in and through the body of graphite, and by reason of the comparative density thereof created by the gravity effect of the follower 30 takes up and withdraws separate charges of graphite, each of which is contained between adjacent pistons on the conveyor-chain. As said chain continues to travel these charges are carried through the longitudinal bores of the cylindrical portion 15 of the conveyer-frame and emerge therefrom successively in the close vicinity of the discharge-orifice at the end of the conveyercasing. As that portion of the chain loaded with lubricant rounds the sprocket-wheel 14 it successively exposes the charges of lubricant contained between adjacent pistons to the force and effect of the hot dry steam-blast passing centrally through the steam-inlet pipe, and these charges are thus instantly taken up by the steam-blast, and thereby earried into the valve-chest and steam-cy1inder,

H equal capacity and that half of the conveyerchain, (the lower half, as herein shown) which travels in a direction from the inlet-pipe to the lubricant-chamber returns empty to the latter, aiid in the subsequent operation of rounding the sprocket-wheel 13 the pockets or buckets thereof again become charged with lubricant, which is conveyed into the steaminlet pipe and discharged in the manner already described. The amount oflubricant thus discharged to the cylinder is capable of regulation either by varying the speed imparted to the conveyer-ehain through its driving mechanism or by varying the size of the annular discharge-orifice,or both. is desired to throw the lubricator out of action, the hand-wheel 18 is simply turned in a direction to retract the conveyer-frame,which operation simultaneously closes the discharge end of the conveyer-tube by drawing the cap 2 2.snugly thereagainst and throws out of action the driving mechanism by withdrawing the gear 23 from its companion gear 24:.

An important feature of our invention resides in the location of the discharge-orifice in or substantially in the axial line of the steam-inlet pipe, although our invention is not limited to this particular location of the discharge-orifice. The particular advantage resulting from such a position of the discharge-orifice resides in the fact that in a acted upon by moist or partially-condensed steam-inlet pipe the steam flowing through the innermost or transversely-central portion of the pipe is hot and dry while the steam in contact with or adjacent to the walls of the pipe is frequently in a partially-condensed and therefore moist condition. By subjecting the graphite t0 the action of dry steam we practically avoid the pasty or sticky condition which the lubricant assumes when steam. This results in a more complete and perfect discharge of the graphite from the successivepock'ets or buckets of the con-1 veyer, thus enabling the latter to perform its intended function with a g degree of ciency. By reason of the fact that during the When it:

nated, and the lubricant in the bottom of the chamber is therefore always maintained sufficiently dry to be readily handled and de livered by the conveyer. This result is best facilitated by causing the conveyer'to travel over the inner sprocket-wheel 14 in the same direction as the steam-blast.

When the lubricant-reservoir needsrecharging, the follower 30 will have come to rest upon the lugs 32 and the empty condition of the reservoir will be indicated by the position of the upper end of the stem 31 of the follower relatively to the cap 6 of the reservoir. The valve 22 may then be closed, the cap and follower removed, and the reservoir recharged in the manner already described.

Among the several advantages of our invention which have not already been referred to may be mentioned the fact that the conveyer-chain not only serves the function of a feeder, but also acts as a stirrer to the graphite in the bottom of the holder and prevents the graphite from bridging therein. The apparatus is capable of easyapplication to any steam pipe or cylinder without the necessity for any changes therein further than the boring of a single internallythreaded aperture for the introduction of the conveyercasing.

Although the device has been designed primarily for feeding a perfectly dry lubricant, yet it is capable of feeding graphite mixed with oil or grease, if desired.

A general advantage attendant upon the use of graphite generally as a lubricant for steam-cylinders resides in the fact that the pressure of steam which can be carried is unlimited, which latter is not the case where oil is used, since the latter carbonizesjf fed into steam at high temperatures and in that way tends to cut instead of to lubricate. This fact has long been known; but the chief obstacle hitherto found in attempts to employ a dry lubricant in steam-cyli nders has resided in the difliculty of introducing the lubricant in an effective condition. By our present invention we believe we have successfully overcome this difiieulty.

Believing ourselves to be the first to introduce drylubricant to the cylinders of steam and other engines by means of a mechanically-operated endless conveyer, we do not limit our invention to the particular mechanlCO ical embodiment thereof herein shown and described nor to its employment specifically in connection with steam -engines, since it is obvious that an apparatus embodying the same principle might be successfully and advantageously employed in connection with any other engine employing an expansive motive fluid, such as internal-combustion, explosive, or compressed-air engines and the like.

We claim- 1. In a lubricator of the class described, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain the lubricant, of a connection therefrom quantities of lubricant therethrough into the presence of the motive fluid, substantially as described.

2. Inalubricator of the class described, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain thelubricant, of a connection therefrom adapted to enter a motive-fluid-inlet pipe or chamber, an endless conveyer in said connection operating to successively deliver quantities of lubricant therethrough into the presence of the motive fluid, and a valve controlling the discharge end of said connection, substantially as described.

3. In a lubricator of the class described, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain the lubricant, of a connection therefrom adapted to enter a fluid-pressure inlet pipe or chamber, an endless conveyer in said connec tion operating to successively Withdraw quantities of lubricant from the reservoir and deliver the same into the presence of the motive fluid, and a manually-operable valve controlling the discharge end of said connection, substantially as described.

4:. In alubricator of the class described, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain the lubricant, of a connection therefrom adapted to enter a fluid-pressure inlet pipe or chamber, a longitudinally adjustable conveyer-support slidably mounted in said connection and carrying at its inner end a valve controlling the delivery end thereof, an endless conveyer mounted-in said conveyer-support and operating to deliver successive quantities of lubricant therethrough from the reservoir into the presence of the motive fluid, positive driving mechanism for imparting motion to said conveyer, and means for simultaneously closing said valve and disconnecting the driving mechanism of the conveyer, substantially as described.

5. Inagraphite-lubricator for engine-cylinders, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain the lubricant, of a conveyercasing extending radially from one end thereof and adapted to enter a motive-fluid-supply pipe, a longitudinally adjustable conveyer-support slidably mounted in said casing and longitudinally bored on opposite sides of its axis, an endless conveyer-chain mounted in said support and traveling through the bores thereof, and mechanism for imparting movement to said conveyer-chain, substantially as described.

6. Inagraphite-lubricatorforengine-cylinders, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain the lubricant, of a conveyercasing extending radially from the lower end thereof and adapted to enter a fluid-pressuresupply pipe, a longitudinally-adjustable conveyer-support slidably mounted in said cas-' veyer-support to simultaneously close said valve and interrupt the driving mechanism of the conveyer, substantially as described. 7. In a graphite-lubricator for engine-cylinders, the combination with a reservoir adapted to contain the lubricant, ofa tubular casing extending radially from the lower end thereof and adapted to enter a motive-fluidsupply pipe, a longitudinally-adjustable conveyer-support slidably mounted in said cas ing and carrying at its inner end a valve controlling the delivery end of the casing, said support being longitudinally bored on opposite sides of its axis, sprocket-wheels rotatably mounted in the opposite ends ofsaid support, an endless conveyer-chain engaging said sprocket-wheels, a driving-gear on the shaft of one of said sprocket-Wheels within the res-' ervoir, a companion gear meshing therewith and also rotatably mounted within the reservoir, driving mechanism outside the reservoir for imparting rotation to said last-named gear, and means for effecting a longitudinal adj ustment of the conveyer-support and parts carried thereby, substantially as described,

8. A graphite-lubricator adapted for application to a motive-fluid-inlet pipe, and comprising a reservoir adapted to contain the lubricant, a radially-disposed conveyer-casing extending therefrom to said inlet-pipe 'and terminating in an open end adapted to be located substantially in the longitudinal axis of said pipe, and an endless conveyer mounted in said conveyer-casing and serving to successively withdraw quantities of lubricant from the reservoir and deliver the same into the presence of the motivefluid at the open end of said casing, substantially as described.

OTTO LUHR. THOMAS ANDRESEN. Witnesses:

G. THnvENoT, H. E. FREEs.

ICC 

